Nature and role of sexual pheromones emitted by males ofAcrolepiopsis assectella (LEP.)

Seven compounds that do not exist in the extracts from legs of males have been isolated in the hair-pencil extracts of maleAcrolepiopsis assectella. By combining techniques of GC-MS and GC-FT-IR, six of these compounds have been identified. They are sixn-alkanes: hexadecane (C₁₆), heptadecane (C₁₇), octadecane (C₁₈), nonadecane (C₁₉), eicosane (C₂₀), and heneicosane (C₂₁). Twelven-alkanes of the homologous series, from the C₁₄–C₂₅ compounds were presented to virgin females, mated females, and males. At the end of the scotophase, four of then-alkanes (C₁₆, C₁₇, C₁₉, C₂₁) present in the hair-pencil extract induced the virgin females to adopt the acceptance posture after having induced the virgin females to remain stationary. The two othern-alkanes (C₁₈ and C₂₀) present in the extract have less effect on the females similar to then-alkanes not present in the males. The blends tested do not seem to indicate any synergy between the most active compounds. The threen-alkanes with an odd number of carbons and the C₁₆ compound would thus be the principle components of the male pheromone ofA. assectella. As well as their role of female aphrodisiac, they tend to make males and fertilized females flee.